Mining machine



A. L. LEE

MINING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 22, 1950 INVENTOR.

Arthur L. Lee J I?L L l r'"l" l I l I l I I I l l l I l I I l I l l I I l I I l I I I I l I; ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 A. L. LEE 2,917,282

MINING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 22, 1950 lull-lull I E I IIII'IIIIIIIUI' E INVENTOR.

Arthur L. Lee

BY. s T/E L a ATTORNEY Dec. 15 1959 A. L. LEE

' MINING MACHINE Original Filed June 22, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Arthur L. Lee

ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Arthur L. Lee BY J L A; ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 A L LEE MINING MACHINE Original Filed June 22, 1950 A. L. LEE

MINING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 22, 1950 INVENTOR.

Arthur L. Lee

5217.4 J H L ATTORNEY United States Patent MINING 1 MACHINE Arthur L. Lee, Columbus, Ohio,- assignor to Consolidation Coal Company, a corporation of -Pennsylvama Original application June 22, 1950, Serial No. 19',7 52.

Divided and this applicationApril 19, 1956, SenalNo 579,289

ll Claims. (Cl. 255 51) This invention relates to a mining machine andmore particularly to amining machine having a working element capable of performing the combined functions of drilling and timber setting. The mining machine with the working element attachment is especially designed for use in underground mines-or tunnels for drilling holesat various locations in the roof or wallsof the mine or tunnel and also for raising andholding'the roof supports up against the roof during the securing of the roof supports in a roof supporting position.

This'application is a division of my copending' application Serial Number 169,752, filed-]une;22, 1950' now abandoned.

In undergroundmines or tunnels'it has been'the conventional practice to employ separate pieces of-equip ment for drilling holes in the mine or tunnel walls or'roof and for setting mine timbers. The use of separate pieces of equipment required high initial costin-purcha'sing separate pieces of equipment. Also, valuable time at-the working face of the mineor tunnel was lostdue to the non-productive time consumed in' maneuvering the separate pieces of equipment. Another-problem present with working elements mounted on adjustable, swingable supporting structures, is the overhang of the boom-structure in respect to the base or propellingstructure. The overhang creates an unbalanced condition whichresults in considerable vibration of the entire mining machine during the drilling operation. The present invention contemplates improvements over known types of drilling and timber setting machines. The construction of the boom structure presents a mining machinefwhich can perform the drilling and timber'settingoperations without undue-vibration and has' a boom; structure which f is universally adjustable to substantially-all positions-requiredfor both'thedrilling operation and timber setting operation. The machine of the present invention is flexible in operation, is simple and ruggedin design;;has-a widerange of adjustment,- andis well-adaptedfor its intended purpose.

An object of this invention is to provide-an improved miningmachine which is-readily mobile andwhiclr has relative universality of adjustment.

A' further objectis to providea mining machinehaving a novel means of swinging the boom structure in a horizontal'plane relative to thebase member;

A still further object-is to provide an improved fluid supply andexhaust swivel between the non-rotatable and rotatable parts of the boom structure whereby the rotatable boom part may be completely rotatedabout-the longitudinal axis of the boom.

Another object is to provide an improved means-to swivel the working element adapted to be carried by a shaft having its longitudinal axis transverse to=the longi tudinal axis of the boom structure. 7

Anotherobject is to provide an improved fluid operated means to adjust the working element relative to the base or propelling structure.

Another object is :to provide an improved'mining mamotor 13, desirably an electric motor, mounted within chine having novel arrangements and. combination 011 parts.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fullyzappear.

Inthe drawings:

Figurel is a top plan view of the rearward portion of the miningmachine, showing the. mobile base or propelling means. Certain structural detailsareindic'ated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the mobile base shown in: Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlargedhorizontalsectionillustrating the-means for swinging the boom structurein a horizontal; plane relative to the mobile base;

Figurei4 isa plan view of the forward portion of the mobile-base shown in Figure 1 and the adjustable boomstruoture'with the working element connected thereto.

Figure 5 is a View in side elevation ofthestructure shown in Figure 4-.

Figure6 is an enlargedview taken along the line -6-'6 in Figure 5" illustrating the details of the boom structure and meanstoswivel' the shaft adapted to carry the work ing element relative to the boom structure.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view in side elevation taken along the line 77 in Figure 6 and illustrating in greater detail the means-to swivel the shaft adapted to carry the working element.

Figure 8-is an enlarged view in section taken alongthe' line -8'-"'-8 of Figure 6 and illustrating the means to rotate the rotatable portion of the boom.

Figure 9 is a view in section taken along the line 99" in Figure 8.

Figure-.10 is a diagrammatic plan view showing one of theadjusted positions of the boom structure and swivel' means-relative to the: mobile base and the working Themining machine as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and'5' generally comprises a mobile base or propelling means 1' havinga front end portion la with a support member 2 swivelly mounted adjacent thereto. A vertically adjustable supporting'structure generally designated 3 is swivelly mounted on-the support member 2; The support member Zrotateshorizontally relative to the base land the supporting structure 3 rotates in a vertical plane relative to the support member 2. The adjustable. supporting structureS has an elongated boom or arm 4extending forwardly therefrom that carries at-its outerextremity a working element generally designated by-the numeral. 5. For illustration a drilling implement is shown as the work-'- ing element 5, however it should be understood that/it is within the scope of this invention-to use any type-=of:

working element in place of the drilling'implernentz:

The self-propelled mobile basel comprises a low, vertically compact frame 9 provided with a flat top'deck 10. which maybe mounted on rubberwhceis. The frontwheels 11 are preferablytraction wheels andthe rear wheels 12 are conventional steering wheels, For usein: conditions where required the front and rear wheelsmay. be-constructed as both traction and steerable wheels. ..A.

the base 1 has is power shaft connected by a conventional coupling 14 and universal shafting 15 to a transmission mechanism 16 of any suitable design. The transmission provides different speeds both forward and reverse. The transmission 16 has its terminal element connected by universal shafting 17 to a conventional differential mechamsm 18 which in turn drives the traction wheels 11. The base 1 has at one side an operators compartment or station 28 with the usual steering wheel 29 located therein. Other suitable controls may be grouped in the operators station 28 to control the propulsion of the base, the adjustment of the boom and operation of the workmg element 5.

As shown in Figures and 8 the mobile base front end 1a has upper and lower front bracket or arm like proectlons 30 with aligned vertical apertures 30a therein. Bushings 31 are positioned in both of the vertical apertures 30a and receive a pivot shaft 32. The pivot shaft 32 extends into the bushings 31 and is rotatable therein.

The support member 2 has a frame 33 which extends between the upper and lower brackets 38. The pivot shaft 32 extends through a passageway 33a in the sup port member frame 33 and is secured therein by means of keys 34 and a set screw 35. Thrust washers 36 are provided between the support member frame 33 and the lower bracket 30 to absorb the downward thrust of the support member 2. Thus the support member 2 is pivotally secured to the mobile base 1.

The support member 2 carries a horizontal pivot shaft 37 on the frame 33 in front of the vertical pivot shaft 32. The side arms 38 of a yoke frame 39 are secured to the free ends of the horizontal p vot shaft 37 (Figures 4 and 5) so that the yoke frame 39 is free to swing in a vertical plane about the pivot shaft 37.

The swiveling or pivoting means for the su port member 2 comprises a spur gear 48 rigidly fixed by keys 34 to the vertical pivot shaft 32. The frame 33 is cut away at 41 to provide an opening through which the spur gear 40 projects rearwardly toward the mob le base front end portion 1a. The mobile base 1 has a verti al pivot pin 42 (Figures 1-3) with a gear member 44 secured thereto. The ear member 44 has an arm member 43 extending radially therefrom. The gear member 44 meshes with the spur gear 40 between the vertical pivot shaft 32 and the mobi e base front end portion 1a. The mobile base front Wall is cut away at 45 to provide an opening through which the gear member 44 pro ects to mesh w th the spur gear 40. T e arm 43 is pivotally connected at 46 to a piston rod 47 which in turn is operably secured to a reciprocable piston 48 contained in a fluid cylinder 49. The cylinder 49 is pivotally mounted on trunnions 50 (Figure I) so that the cylinder 49 may rotate in a horizontal plane. The cylinder 49 has fluid connections adjacent its end portions so that fluid pressure may be exerted on either side of the piston 48.

To pivot or swing the support member 2 about the vertlcal pivot shaft 32 fluid under pressure is properly supplied to the cylinder 49 to actuate the piston 48. The piston 48 through the rod 47 and arm 43 rotates the gear member 44 about the vertical pivot pin 42. The gear 44 being in mesh with spur gear 4i) rotates the same. Movement of the spur gear 40 is transmitted through vertical shaft 32 to the support member 2 thus rotating the support member 2 in a horizontal plane in relation to the mobile base 1. Due to the gear connection, when fluid is trapped in the cylinder 49 the support member 2 is maintained in its adjusted position.

It should be noted with the arrangement and construction of the rotating assembly previously described that the cylinder 49 pivots on the trunnions 56 so that the support member 2 may pivot through a greater are relative to the mobile base 1. Also with this arrangement substantially the same force is exerted to move the support member 2 through all degrees of rotation and there- I by assures positive movement and adjustment of support member 2.

In Figures 1, 2 and 8 there is shown a means to swing the boom 4 in a vertical plane in relation to the support member 2. An upright reciprocal fluid cylinder 51 is pivotally mounted on lateral trunnions 52 which are secured to the adjustable supporting structure 3. The fluid cylinder 51 extends through an opening 53 in the rear boom yoke frame 39. A piston 54 is contained within the fluid cylinder 51 and has a piston rod 5'5 pivotally engaging a cross shaft 56. The cross shaft 56 is secured to the support member frame 33 at the front lower side projections 57. Thus, when fluid under pressure is supplied to the cylinder 51, the cylinder 51 moves relative to the piston 54 to move the adjustable supporting structure 3 in a vertical plane with respect to the support member 2. When fluid is trapped in the cylinder 51 the adjustable supporting structure 3 and the boom member 4 secured thereto are firmly locked in an adjusted position in a vertical plane relative to the support member 2.

The boom member 4 has a rear boom yoke frame 39 which carries a front housing member 58 with a tubular extension 59 extending forwardly therefrom. The tubular extension 59 and housing member 58 may also be referred to as the boom member tubular rear end portion (Figure 8). Sleeves or bushings 60 are positioned in the bore of the tubular extension 59 and a tubular member or tubular boom front end portion 61 is positioned within the bore of the bushings 60. The tubular boom front end portion 61 is arranged to rotate or revolve completely about its longitudinal axis. The rotating means for the tubular boom front end portion 61 comprises a worm Wheel 62 secured to the tubular boom front end portion 61 and positioned within the housing 58 of the tubular boom rear end portion (Figures 8 and 9). The worm wheel 62 meshes with a worm type annular gear 63 which is secured to a transverse shaft 64 journaled in bearings 65 suitably supported within the housing 58 of the tubular boom rear end portion. A conventional hydraulic motor 66 has its casing secured to one side of the housing 58 and has its power shaft suitably coupled to the shaft 64. Thus the worm gearing 63 may be driven by the hydraulic motor 66 to effect rotation of the tubular boom front end portion 61. Preferably the motor 66 is reversible so that the tubular boom front end portion 61 may be rotated continuously about its longitudinal axis in either of opposite directions.

Fluid swivel or coupling member 68 is secured within the rear end of the tubular boom member bore 67. The fluid swivel 68 provides a rear closure member for the tubular boom member bore 67. The swivel member 68 extends rearwardly beyond the yoke frame front housing 58 and is of cylindrical form. A cup shaped supply or coupling member 70 extends over the exterior periphery of the swivel coupling member 68 and is secured to the rear wall of the yoke frame housing 58. The coupling member 70 has suitable fluid connections 71 which communicate with annular mating grooves 72 formed on the exterior of the swivel coupling 68 and on the interior of the coupling member 70. These grooves are connected through suitable passages 73 which in turn communicate with suitable supply and discharge conduits arranged Within the bore 67 of the tubular member 61. These conduits extend out of the front end of the boom member 67 through suitable openings to the fluid operating devices to which they are connected. With this arrangement fluid under pressure may be supplied through the rotatable tubular boom member 61 through the fluid swivel 68 and enable the complete rotation of the tubular boom member 61 about its longitudinal axis Without danger of the fluid conduits becoming entangled or broken.

As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 the forward or outer end of the rotatable boom front end portion 61 carries ai -housing 175'; The h'ousingz75vhas :a 1 vertical passageway 75a:iri-which' bearings orzbushin'gs7 6 'are fitted. A supe p Thea'spur gear 81 is keyed to'the vertical supporting shaft:

77 for rotation therewith." Tubular elements 83 are se-- curedadjacent their rear ends to thetubular boom memher- 611 at 84; Tubular elements 835are secured at their front ends to each other at 87 and areenclosed'within a suitable closure member 88 secured to the housing 75 (Figures-6 and.7). The tubular elements 83 have relativelyinclined diverging bores 82.- Rod-like rack members 85 are positioned within the diverging bores 82'and are reciprocally movable therein. The rod-like rack members 85 have rack teeth 86 attheir inner sides which meshwith the opposite sides of the spur gear81. The rod-likemembersSS are secured to pistonrods 89 of reciprocable pistons 90 contained in fluid cylinders 91. The cylinders 91 extend along the opposite sides of the boommember 61 and are connected at their rearward ends at 92 to lateral brackets 93 projecting from the opposite sides of thetubular boom member 61. When fluidv unden pressure is concurrently supplied to one end of one of the cylinders 91 and to the opposite end ofthe other/cylinder 91' the pistons 90 will be actuated in relatively'opposite directions to effect opposite sliding movement. of the'rod-likerack members 85 to thereby rotate the spur gear 81 which inturn will rotate the supporting shaft 77. Since the supporting yoke 79 is secured to the vertical supporting shaft 77 the. supporting yoke 79 will swivel about the supporting shaft 77 relative to the boom 61. Whenfiuid is trappedin the cylinders 91 the rodlike-rack members 85 and spur gear 81 maybe locked tohold the supporting yoke 79' rigidly in is adjusted position." With the above described arrangement of the rod-like. rack members 85 and spur gear 81:the forces exerted'bythe pistons 90 are tangentialto the spur gear 81:. Thus: equal and opposite lineal forces are exerted inrswiveli ng. thesupporting yoke 79 through all angles of. swiveledadjustment. This arrangement comprises. a compact,.eflicient, and positive swiveling. means for the. yoke member .79.

As .shownin Figure the yoke frame 79 has forwardly. projectingside arms .95; The free ends of the side arms 95. have alignedapertures therethrough and pivotallyengage transverse pivot pins 96. The transverse pivot pins-96 are supportedby brackets 97 secured to the'outer sides .of an elongatedsupporting framef98. which is a portion of.the.. working element 5. Fluid cylinders 99 (Figures 4 and .5) are pivotally connected at 188 to brackets 101 secured to the opposite sides of the supporting frame 98'. Thebrackets 101 are positioned rearwardly beyond'the pivotal mountingofthe yoke frame 79 to the supporting frame 98. Thefiuid cylinders 99v contain reciprocalpistons 102 which haveforwardly projecting, piston rods 103pivota1ly connected at we to the rear edge portion of. the. yoke arms 95 rearwardly be- Y Qnd the pivotal connection to the pivot pins 96. Thus when fluid under pressure is properly supplied to-the cylinders 99 the supporting frame 98 may be adjusted angulai-l'y'or pivotallytilted about its pivotal mounting on the yoke frame pivot pins 961 Also, When fluid is trapped in"thefcylinders 99 the supporting frame 98 may be rigidlyheldin its angular adjusted'position.

The hydraulic system'diagrammatically shown in Figure-14*'hasa' pump 208 mounted on the transmission casing? within the" mobile base and is driven through an element of the" transmission mechanisms16.. ,Thessuction igside of the pump208-is Lconnected by-a conduit 210 10 a.- fluidtankor-reservoir 212 mounted on'one. side ofathe. mobile base andwhich desirably contains a liquidrsuch as light-oih, The .discharge sideof the pump 208.-is-con-;

2 to the pressure passageof a. multi-bore valve box 234,-

This valve box is of a conventional design andhas bores respectively containing manually operable controlwvalvesr 235, 236 and 237. A-pressureconduit 240-connectsthe multi-bore valve devicet234 to a conventional multi-bore valve box 241. The bores of thisvalvebox contain manually operable control. valves 242-. and 243 s respectively: Thevalve box 234 has a discharge; conduit,244.-conne,ctedg to the return conduit 226: The: conduit 226 returnsthe... oil to thefluid tankor-reservoir212r The valvetbox 241 alsohas a discharge conduit 245rwhich-connects to the return" conduit 226.

Inthe multi-bore valve box 234 the bore-containing.

the control valve 235 is connected-by conduits -251. and. 252 to the opposite ends of the. boom;swing.cylinder 49; This boom swing-cylinder is clearly shown in- Figures. 1. and 3. The bore containing: the; control. valve 236 is connected by conduits 253: and 254 tothe opposite ends: of the boom lift cylinder 51. The boom lift cylinder is clearlyshown inFigures 4 and: 5.- The bore containing the control 'valve- 237-is connected by conduits .255,- andf256- to theqinlet andidischarge sides-of thetreverse boom rotating'mot0r66 which isshown-in Figures 8 and. 9.-- Hence thecontrol valvey235 may be termed the boom swing control. valve,'. the control vValve. 236; maybe termed the boom lift controlvalve andthecontrol valve 237 may, be termed: theboom rotating control valve. In-the multi-bore valvebox-2411thebore contain-. ing the-control valve 242 is 'connectedbyconduits 257 and 258 and-crossedconduits 259 and 260m the oppo site ends offluid'cylinders -91--(Figures-6' and 7). The fluid'cylinders 91in turn control. theirack members-which- Swivel the'yoke 'frame 79." Thus the: control valve 242: may be termed the yoke swiveling valvev; The bore containing the control valve243 isconnectedby conduits 261 and 262 to the, opposite ends; of: the tilt cylinders :99: which pivot the workingiimplementfi aboutthe ,pivotpins: 96. (Figures-4 and 5); hencecontrol.valve243. may betermed the working element-tilt. valve; 7

There is provided a remote control for the ;boo'm*swing cylinder 49: (Figure: l)' sorthatduring trammingzoperation. of the'mobile base 1theoperator-maycontrol swing ing of the boom structure 4 from his station 28.on.themobile base 1 to facilitate negotiation of the sharply curved passages in the underground mine ontunnel. This remote control valve device comprises a manually operable valve device 267 which is connected by a supply con-. duit 269' leading'from the selector. valvedevice230; The remote control device 267 Iis connected by conduits 270i and 271. to the conduitsi251 and 252 which are in-turn connected to the opposite ends of the boom swing cylin-' der 49.

The multi-bore valve device 234 may be mounted on the rearwardnonrotatable portion of the boom frame or itmay be mounted in any conventional position for the operation such as at the operators station 28; Similarly the rnulti-bore control device. 241 may be: mounted on the rotatable boom member 61 or adjacent the operators station 28'. Thecontrol-valve device 230'---and 232 may be mounted within the mobile base 1.

The general mode of operation of the mobile base 1 above described is as follows; The machine may be trammed about the mine or tunnel'under the propulsion of the traction Wheels 11 driven by themotor13 through the transmission mechanism 16'. Steering ofthe mobile 7 base 1 may be effected by the swivel steering wheels 12 under the control of the manual steering wheel 29 located in the operators station 28. As the mobile base 1 travels through the relatively restricted and curved passageways of the mine or tunnel the boom structure 4 may be swung horizontally in either direction with respect to the base 1 under the control of the remote control valve device 267 thereby to facilitate negotation of the curved passageways. The mobile base 1 may be propelled by the traction wheels 11 in a reversing direction toward the mine entry simply by reversing the motor 13 or by effecting the reversal of the propelling wheels 11 through the transmission mechanism 16.

When the working place is reached and it is desired to drill holes in the mine or tunnel Walls, i.e. the working face or the tunnel roof, the control valve device 232 is positioned to effect fluid supply from the pump 208 through the supply conduit 229, remote control valve 230, conduits 231, control valve device 232 and conduit 233 to the multi-bore valve device 234. The operator by suitably manipulating the boom swing valve 235 may rotate the boom structure 4 horizontally in relation to the mobile base 1. By suitably manipulating the boom lift valve 236 the boom structure 4 may be rotated in a vertical plane to the desired degree of elevation. By suitably manipulating the boom rotating valve 237 the boom may be rotated about its longitudinal axis until the desired position of the working element 2 is reached. By suitably manipulating the working element swivel valve 242 the working element 5 may be rotated about the shaft 71 to its desired position. By suitably manipulating the working element tilt valve 243 the working element 5 may be adjusted angularly about the pivot pins 96. Although the operation of the various control valves has been stated in a given sequence it should be understood that the enumerated valves control diiferent adjusting means and are not required to be used sequentially.

Figures through 13 illustrate some of the various positions of adjustment now possible with my invention. As shown in Figure 10 the boom may be swung into its maximum angular position with respect to the mobile base 1. When a multi-extensible drill is the working element 5 it may be retracted and advanced while the boom structure remains in the maximum angular position thus affording wide angular drilling areas from a given position of the mobile base 1. To illustrate the forward advanced position of the extensible portion of the working element 5 is indicated in dotted lines as abutting the working face.

In Figure 11 the opposite maximum lateral positions of the boom structure 4 are indicated in dotted lines at A and B and the central longitudinal position of the boom is shown in full line. Various angular positions of the working element relative to the boom structure 4, when the latter is located in its lateral position at A, are indicated at C, D, E and F. The last adjustment may be accomplished by the rack gear 85-81 mechanism shown in Figures 6 and 7. The right angle position of the working element with respect to the boom structure 4, when the latter is located in the full line position shown in Figure 11, is indicated in dotted lines at H.

In the diagrammatic side elevational view shown in Figure 12 the working element 5 is shown 'swung into a vertical roof drilling position with respect to the room as indicated in dotted lines at I and a lowered position of the boom structure 4 and working element 5 is indicated in dotted lines at J. The raised position of the working element is shown in full lines in Figure 12. The vertical adjustment is effected by the boom lift cylinder 51 and the rotation of the working element 5 about the boom structure 4 is effected by the boom rotating motor 66 (Figures 8 and 9).

. In the diagrammatic front view of the machine shown 8 in Figure 13 the boom structure 4 is shown in full and dotted lines in several different positionsabout the longitudinal axis of the boom structure 4 and a raised position of the boom structure 4 and working element 5 is indicated in dotted lines at K.

In Figures 11, 12 and 13 there is also shown the versatility of my invention when a timber setting working element 269 is employed. Several of the positions of the timber are indicated by the letter T in these figures.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle, preferred construction, and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim: 7

1. In a mining machine the combination comprising a boom member, a working element swivelly mounted on said boom member, and means for swivelling said working element comprising a spur gear secured to said working element, relatively inclined rearwardly diverging rack members having gear teeth meshing with the opposite sides of said spur gear, said rack members positioned in the same horizontal plane and having portions extend forwardly of said boom member, and power operated means operatively connected to both of said racks to exert a force on both of said racks simultaneously in opposite directions for actuating said racks to effect rotation of said spur gear in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

2. In a mining machine the combination comprising a boom member having an end portion, said end portion having a passageway extending therethrough transverse to the longitudinal axis of said boom member, a supporting shaft having one end rotatably positioned in said passageway, a working element having a cup shaped portion, said supporting shaft other end portion being nonrotatably secured in said working element cup shaped portion, said supporting shaft having an annular spur type gear secured therearound, a pair of tubular elements secured at one end to each other in front of said boom and extending along the sides of said boom member in diverging relation'to each other, said tubular elements positioned in the same horizontal plane, said tubular elements rear portions being secured to said boom member adjacent said boom member end portion, a pair of rack members positioned within the bores of said tubular members and reciprocally movable therein, said rackmembers positioned in the same horizontal plane and having portions extend forwardly of said boom member, each of said rack members having gear teeth operatively meshing with opposite sides of said spur type gear, a pair of rods secured at one end to each of said rack members and operable to reciprocally move each of said racks, and fluid operated means adapted to exert a force on both of said rods simultaneously in opposite directions to reciprocally move said rods so that a linear force is exerted on said racksin a tangential direction relative to said spur gear to thereby rotate said working element in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

, 3. In a mining machine the combination comprising a boom member having an end portion, Said end portion having a passageway extending therethrough transverse to the longitudinal axis of said boom member, a supporting shaft having one end rotatably positioned in said passageway, a working element having a cup shaped portion, said supporting shaft other end portion being non-rotatably secured in said working element cup shaped portion, said supporting shaft having an annular spur type gear secured therearound, a pair of tubular elements secured at one end to each other in front of said boom and extending along the sides of said boom member in divergingrela However, I desire to have it understood- 9' tion= to 'each other; said tubular elements positioned 'in the 'same' horizontal pla'ne,said='tubular elements rear por'- tions'being 'secured to-saidboom member adjacent saidboorn'member' end'portion, a pair of rack members positioned within the -bores-"of said tubular members and reciprocally movable therein, said rack members posi-" tioned in the same horizontal -plane and having portions extend forwardly of *said boom member; each of said rack members having gear teeth operatively meshing with opposite *sides 'of said spur'typegea'r, a pair of'piston' rods secured' 'at one end -to 'ea'ch' ofsaid rack members and operable to reciprocally move each of said racks, a pair'of pistonsco'nnected to the free ends of said piston rO'dsQ- a pair of fluid cylinderssecured to= tlie opposi-te sides or said boom member, eachfsa'id pistons being operatively positionedwithin said l respective cylinders,- means forsupplying fiuid 'under 'p'rss'ure to fthe' opposite sides of each ofsaid pistons sothat said-piston rods rna'y' exert a linear force on said racks in a tangential direc'tion relative to "sa'id' spur ge'a'r'"t'o thereby rot'ate sa'i'd working element in both l clockwise andcounterclockwise direc tions-w g 4: In a miningi machine the-com ination -coiripr ising' a boom member having an 'end por'ti n 'said'-'end portionhavirig a passageway extending therethroilgh' trarisverse "tothe longitudinal axis of said boor'ri memberg 'a supporting shaft'having one" end rotatably posi'tione n s'aid pa's'sage' Way,':a workingelement 'having a cup 'shap p'o r t ioni said supporting-ilsh'aft other en'd portiofi being non rotatably secured in said working -element cupfsiiaped portion;

said supportingisliafthavingi an aiirnilarspur type gearsecured therearound, a pair of tubular -eleiiieh't "secured* at one end to each other in front of said boom and extending-along *the' "sides of said boom 'rnem'ber in diverging relation -toeach other; said tubular elements positioned in the same horizontal plane, said tubular elements rear portionsbeing-secured to 'sai'd boom member adjacent' said boom member-end portionga pair of rack members positioned within the bores of said-tubular members and reciprocally movable therein, said rack member's positioned in the same horizontal plane'and having portions extend forwardly of said boom member, each of 'said rack members having gear-teeth oper'a'tively meshing. withopposite sides of said spur type gear, a pair of piston-rods secured at one end to eachof said ra'kmembers and operable to--reciprocally move each ofsaid racks a pair of pistonsconnectedto the-free-ends Of 'sa'id piston rods,-a pair offluid cy'linders secured'to the opposite sides of said boom member, each of said pistons being operatively positioned within said respective cylinders, and means for concurrently supplying fluid under pressure to one side of one of said pistons and to the other side of the other of said pistons so that said piston rods exert linear forces in opposite directions along tangential paths relative to said spur gear to thereby rotate said working element in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

5. In a mining machine the combination comprising a mobile base having a pair of brackets extending from the front end thereof, said brackets extending forwardly from said mobile base within the horizontal planes formed by said mobile base, said brackets having aligned apertures therethrough spaced forwardly of said mobile base front end, a support member having a passageway therethrougn, said support member positioned forwardly of said mobile base front end with said passageway aligned with said bracket apertures, a pivot shaft extending through said passageway and secured to said support member, said pivot shaft extending into said bracket apertures so that said support member is pivotally secured to said mobile base, gear means secured to said pivot shaft, and actuating means to pivot said support member about the axis of said pivot shaft, said actuating means including second gear means operatively secured to said mobile base and' in meshing r'e'1ation with' said first:

means between said mobile base fr'on't end and said rvo r' shaft, and poweroperated means" to" move said second gearmeans to thereby pivot said support member about" the axis of said piv'ot shaft.

6. Aminingmachine as "defined in clairn' i in which said power operated meansincludes a piston rod pivotally securedat one end to said secondgear means, a piston" secured'to the free end of said piston rod and positioned within a cylinder, said cylinder being pivotally secured members extending'forwardly from the front end thereof',"%

said brackets having aligned apertures therethrough', a support member having a vertical passageway therethrough, said support member positioned between said bracket members with said passageway aligned with said? bracket-apertures, a pivot shaft "extendingthrough said passageway and secured to said support member, said 5 pivot shaft extendinginto said bracket apertures to pivot-r ally secure said support member to said mobile base, a spur gear coaxially arranged on and secured to said pivot shaft between said bracket members, a second gear operatively secured to said mobile base and meshing with said? first named gear between said mobile base front end and said pivot shaft, said-second gear having an arm-men?"- ber secured thereto and-- extending horizontally therefrom, a' -piston rod pivotally secured to the free end of said arm member and extending" in the same horizontal plane,

a feed pistonsecurecb to said piston rod and positioned within a cylinder, saidcylinder being pivotally secured" to-said mobile base andar'ranged to pivot in a horizontal" plane; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinderat opposite'sides-of said piston to move said pis ton rod relative to said =cylinde'r and actuate said'second gear-to thereby pivot said support member horizontally about-the axis'of saidpivot shaft, a boom member hav-" ing a tubular rear'portion and a tubular front portion, said tubular-rear portion being pivotally secured to said support member, means to pivot said tubular rear por-' tionin a vertical" plane relative to-said support member, sa'i'd-boom -tubular frontportion having one end rotatably secured Within the free end of said tubular rear portion, annular gear means secured to said boom front end portion, worm type gearing positioned within the free end portion of said tubular boom rear end portion and operatively meshing with said last named gear means, a fluid motor secured to said tubular boom rear portion and having a power shaft operatively connected to said worm type gearing, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid motor to rotate said worm type gear to thereby rotate said boom tubular front portion about its longitudinal axis relative to said tubular rear portion, a working element swivelly secured to the free end of said boom front end portion, and means to swivel said working element relative to said boom member.

8. In a mining machine the combination comprising a mobile base having a pair of horizontal spaced bracket members extending forwardly from the front end thereof, said brackets having aligned apertures therethrough, a support member having a vertical passageway therethrough, said support member positioned between said bracket members with said passageway aligned with said bracket apertures, a pivot shaft extending through said passageway and secured to said support member, said pivot shaft extending into said bracket apertures to pivotally secure said support member to said mobile base, a spur gear coaxially arranged on and secured to said 1 1T pivot shaft between said bracket members, a second gear operatively secured to said mobile base and meshing with said first named gear between said mobile base front end and said pivot shaft, said second gear having an arm,

member secured thereto and extending horizontally there-- from, a piston rod pivotally secured to the free end of said arm member and extending in the same horizontal plane, a feed piston secured to said piston rod and positioned within a cylinder, said cylinder being pivotally se-- cured to said mobile base and arranged to pivot in a.- horizontal plane, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder at opposite sides of said piston to move said piston rod relative to said cylinder and actuate said. second gear to thereby pivot said support member horizontally about the axis of Said pivot shaft, a boom member having a tubular rear portion and a tubular front portion, said tubular rear portion being pivotally secured to said support member, means to pivot said tubular rear portion in a vertical plane relative to said support. member, said boom tubular front portion having one end rotat'ably secured within the free end of said tubular rear portion, annular gear means secured to said boom ,front end portion, worm type gearing positioned Within the free end portion of said tubular boom rear end portion and operatively meshing with said last named gear means, a fluid motor secured to said tubular boom rear portion and having a power shaft operatively connected to said worm type gearing, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid motor to rotate said worm type gear to thereby rotate said boom tubular front portion about its longitudinal axis relative to said tubular rear portion, said boom tubular front end portion having a passageway therethrough extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said boom member, a supporting shaft having one end rotatably positioned in Said last named passageway, a working element having a cup shaped portion, said last named supporting shaft other end portion being non-rotatably positioned in said Working element cup shaped portion, said supporting shaft having an annular spur type gear secured therearound, a pair of tubular elements secured at one end to each other and extending along the sides of said boom member in diverging relation to each other, said tubular elements being secured to said boom member adjacent said boom member end portion, a pair of rack members positioned within the bores of said tubular members and reciprocally movable therein, each of said rack members having gear teeth operatively meshing with opposite sides of said spur type gear, a pair of piston rods secured at one end to each of said rack members and operable to reciprocally move each of said racks, a pair of pistons connected to the free ends of said last named piston rods, a pair of fluid cylinders secured to the opposite sides of said boom member, each of said last named pistons being operatively positioned within said respective cylinders, and means for concurrently supplying fluid under pressure to one side of one of said last named pistons and to the other side of the other of said last named pistons so that said last named piston rods exert linear forces in opposite directions along tangential paths relative to said last named spur gear to thereby rotate said working element.

9. A mining machine as defined in claim 5 in which said power operated means includes means connected to said second gear means, and means to move said last named means to thereby actuate said second gear means and pivot said support member about the axis of said pivot shaft.

10. A mining machine as defined in claim 5 in which said power operated means includes a rod pivotally secured at one end to said second gear means, and means to move said rod horizontally relative to said mining machine to thereby actuate said second gear means and pivot said support member about the axis of said pivot shaft.

11. A mining machine as defined in claim 5 in which said power operated means includes fluid pressure actuated means operatively secured to said second gear means, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid pressure actuated means to thereby actuate said second gear means and pivot said support member about the axis of said pivot shaft.

References Cited-in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,996,765 Holmes Apr. 9, 1935 2,144,627 Holmes Jan. 24, 1939 2,263,779 Jeflrey et al Nov. 25, 1941 2,271,821 Hart Feb. 3, 1942 2,428,419 Green Oct. 7, 1947 2,491,273 Lehner Dec. 13, 1949 2,500,931 Curtis Mar. 21, 1950 2,510,913 Smith June 6, 1950 2,531,695 MacDuff Nov. 28, 1950 2,532,079 Beltz Nov. 28, 1950 2,558,612 Falk June 26, 1951 2,766,012 Hale Oct; 9, 1956 

